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Fidel Demands Gitmo Back

Former Cuban prez slams Obama over naval base, Mideast policy on web site

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2009 4:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Fidel Castro is demanding that Barack Obama serve up a Guantanamo libre once the last US prisoner leaves, Reuters reports. Castro, posting on a Cuban government website, slammed as an "act of arrogance" Obama's comment that a giveback of Guantanamo would depend on US defense needs and might require Cuban concessions in return. The aging former president, who just last week lauded Obama as an "honest" man with "noble intentions," demanded the entire base be returned without conditions.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

A view of the Cuban border post opposite the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (Getty Images)

A guard sits in a tower overlooking Guantanamo detention camp at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Cuba's former President Fidel Castro poses for a photo during a meeting with Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez in Havana last week. (AP Photo/Argentinean Presidential Press Office)

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Maintaining a military base in Cuba against the will of the people violates the most elemental principles of international law. - Fidel Castro

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

Shannonals

Feb 4, 2009 3:01 AM CST

The U.S. release Guantanamo to the Cubans, highly unlikely. Just because it won't be used as a detatention center doesn't mean the U.S. will give it up.

Forderon

Jan 30, 2009 1:18 AM CST

I like Nicholas Kristof's idea in the NY Times yesterday. He wonders what the point of keeping the prison is if we're closing it down anyway. If we keep the base, it'll still be a propaganda tool for terrorists and the Cuban gov't. Instead, let's give it back completely and cleanse ourselves. The other option he says is to keep it and turn it into a research center for tropical diseases. It would completely change the world's opinion of the word "Guantanamo". http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/29/opinion/edkristof.1-418388.php

EddyTeach

Jan 29, 2009 9:42 PM CST

Dear Pres. Castro, No. Sincerely, B. Obama

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Fidel Castro • Cuba • Guantanamo Bay • Obama administration • President Obama

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Fidel Demands Gitmo Back